Robinho tied many a Premier League defender in knots with his quick feet and silky skills.
However, the former Manchester City favourite says he faced his toughest opponent in England.
The Brazilian forward became the first signing of the Sheik Mansour era when he joined City from Real Madrid for £32.5million in 2008.
And he's told how one defender always seemed to have the measure of him and his step-overs, flicks and tricks.
Speaking to the Daily Mail , Robinho, now 33 and playing for Atlético Mineiro in his homeland, was full of praise for former Manchester and England centre back Rio erdinand.
He said: "Rio Ferdinand is the hardest opponent I have faced - strong and quick. He didn't kick you. He was so classy. I could do all my step-overs but he would watch the ball and tackle so immaculately. He only got the ball."
Robinho, who left City for Santos in 2010 and has amassed 100 caps for Brazil, made a scintillating start to his Premier League career.
But his form dipped amid concerns he was enjoying his 'down time' a little too much.
While he admits he was a "party guy", he reckons there were others who enjoyed a night out even more than he did.
He said: "I liked Manchester, the club, the restaurants... but let us not forget the discotecas. Ha ha ha! Deansgate Locks was fun. There was an image of me as a party guy. And yes, I liked to party.
"But you know, the English boys were going out more than the Brazilians! Joe Hart was out all the time, Micah Richards the same, Shaun Wright-Phillips was always out! But when the Brazilians went out we were always caught.'
